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Welcome to the Oklahoma State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) Newsletter!
The Oklahoma SHIP began CY2025 with a refreshed approach to strengthen collaboration and communication. In CY2024, each SHIP workgroup met monthly. After evaluating this structure, we transitioned to a new format: a single rotating workgroup meeting held on the second Wednesday of each month from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. This change helps streamline efforts and encourages more focused participation.
Another exciting development is the launch of this newsletter. The OK SHIP Newsletter will be distributed throughout CY2025. Its purpose is to keep our partners and stakeholders informed and engaged by providing updates on workgroup activities, data insights, highlights, and opportunities from across our partner network.
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SHIP TALK: WORKGROUP INSIGHTS |
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The OK SHIP Diabetes Workgroup spotlighted several exciting initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes across Oklahoma. A highlight of the session was a presentation by Linda Brinlee on a forthcoming “Food is Medicine” pilot in Southern Oklahoma, targeting food insecurity and access to care through a collaborative, community-integrated model. Additionally, Dr. Farhaneh Ahmadi presented on eddii-Care, a virtual care platform combining CGM data with interactive health tools and specialty support. Partner announcements included updates to the OSDH diabetes webpage, new DSMES classes across counties, and community events like Diabetes Day at the Capitol, the Integris Hispanic Health Fair, and the Joyful Movement fitness challenge. |
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The OK SHIP Drivers of Health (DoH) Workgroup centered on strategic planning and advancing drivers of health efforts across Oklahoma. Members participated in an interactive session focused on shaping the 2025 State Action Plan, identifying implementation partners, and exploring the formation of subcommittees. Highlights included updates on the Narratives for Health training and the Thrive Lights Stoplight tool, which promote health access through storytelling and community-driven data. The meeting also spotlighted resources like the Community Opportunity Map and upcoming workshops aimed at supporting grant writing and community engagement. Participants shared barriers and strategies related to aligning hospital assessments, improving transportation access, and enhancing collaboration through centralized resources. |
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The OK SHIP Mental Health & Substance Misuse Workgroup spotlighted innovative strategies and partnerships to improve behavioral health outcomes across Oklahoma. Discussions focused on expanding access to naloxone through vending machines, enhancing outreach for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and promoting data-driven overdose prevention using state dashboards. The group explored the implementation of the Complex Trauma Training Curriculum (CTTC) and considered methods to reduce access to lethal means, including firearm safety through gun lock distribution. Updates included the formation of a maternal mental health workgroup by OHCA and a renewed commitment to strengthening suicide prevention efforts in tribal communities. Resilient Oklahoma issued a call-to-action for partners to engage in trauma-informed initiatives and community resilience-building efforts. |
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The Oklahoma State Obesity Prevention Plan officially kicked off in 2022 with a targeted completion date of 2026 and has had many exciting achievements. More than 200 dedicated stakeholders came together to craft a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing obesity across our state. Together, the group established 30 overarching goals and 114 actionable objectives, structured around five age-focused subcommittees.
Thanks to the continued dedication and collaboration of stakeholders, the group has successfully marked 43 objectives as "Accomplished"—a true testament to the collective effort driving the plan forward. Each completed objective marks meaningful progress in nutrition education, physical activity promotion, and healthier environments across Oklahoma. These efforts contributed to a reduction in obesity rates among toddlers (ages 2–4), dropping from 13.8% in 2018 to 12.9% in 2020. Rates among children (ages 10–17) remained relatively stable, with a slight increase from 18.7% (2019–2020) to 19.3% (2022–2023), while YRBSS-reported rates rose marginally from 17.6% in 2019 to 17.9% in 2023. Adult obesity saw a slight increase from 36.4% in 2020 to 38.7% in 2023. While there’s still work to do, each milestone reflects the power of collaboration in driving lasting change.
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OK SHIP Data Collection Now Open
The OK SHIP data collection period is officially open for the following workgroups: Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Drivers of Health, and Mental Health & Substance Misuse. Partners and stakeholders are encouraged to submit data related to the strategies and measures outlined in each workgroup’s plan. This reporting period covers activities and outcomes from October 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025, and submissions will be accepted through May 23, 2025. Your input is vital in helping us track progress and drive informed decision-making across Oklahoma's public health priorities.
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We Want Your Feedback!
In 2025, we introduced a new rotating, once-a-month format for OK SHIP workgroup meetings—and now that we've completed a full cycle, it's time to hear from you! We're inviting all participants to share their thoughts through the OK SHIP Meeting Format Survey, open now through May 30, 2025. Your feedback is essential in helping us understand what’s working, what’s not, and how we can continue to improve our collaboration moving forward.
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The OK SHIP is proud to highlight the incredible work of our partners across Oklahoma who are making a difference in public health. From local initiatives to statewide programs, these spotlights showcase innovation, collaboration, and impact. Be sure to check out upcoming events, trainings, and opportunities to connect and learn. |
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Hypertension Take-Down: Raising the Priority on Preventing and Controlling the World’s Leading Preventable Cause of Death
The National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention will host a mid-year virtual convening to bring together patient advocates, providers, public health, researchers, industry, governmental, and nonprofit partners to advance new initiatives and strategies to improve the prevention and treatment of hypertension. The specific goals of the convening are to:
- Provide meeting participants with skills to more effectively communicate the importance of blood pressure control and stroke prevention.
- Fortify advocacy for policy and systems changes that increase use of self-measured blood pressure and raise medication adherence.
- Introduce innovative approaches to promote hypertension control.
The event will take place on Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). Register for the event by clicking here.
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OK Facilitators for Socio-Ecological Drivers of Health (SDoH)
A statewide monthly planning call to increase public-private interagency collaboration around peer support groups to address SDoH.
The next meeting is Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.
Calendar Invite to Monthly SDoH Meetings
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 The Handle With Care Advisory Team continues to meet monthly to address the needs of communities across Oklahoma and increase statewide and local cross-sector collaboration among law enforcement, schools, and behavioral/social/health providers in order to connect youth to support services after a traumatic event.
To meet the demand for training, the Public Health Institute of Oklahoma is coordinating a Handle With Care Oklahoma Train the Trainer in 2025. It is encouraged that local implementation teams (law enforcement, schools, behavioral/social/health providers) to attend together. The next TTT is coming up on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., register using in the link below today.
On average, schools implementing Handle With Care see an 80% reduction in suspensions and a 40% reduction in office referrals.
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 2025 Standards of Quality Virtual Training for Family Resource Centers | May 27–28, 2025
The Standards create common language and expectations in the Family Support and Strengthening field across different kinds of programs, such as Family Resource Centers, home visiting programs, and child development programs.
The Standards demonstrate and measure how to work with families with a family-centered, strengths-based, multigenerational approach to support them to build research-based, evidence-informed protective factors that increase family stability, enhance child development, and reduce child abuse and neglect.
In order to have a successful training you must have a manual and fully participate in both days of trainings. For more information, visit registration link.
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 You’re Invited: Screening of Unseen, a Powerful Caregiver Documentary
Join the Potts Family Foundation, the Children’s Health Foundation, and Sooner SUCCESS on June 5, 2025 at 2:30 PM at The Center for Nonprofits for a special screening of Unseen, an eye-opening documentary that explores the vital, yet often overlooked, experiences of caregivers.
This moving film brings to light the challenges and triumphs faced by those who care for loved ones with special needs.
Following the screening, a panel discussion featuring Representative Arturo Sandoval, who brings personal insight as a sibling of an individual with special needs, will take place.
RSVP: Please confirm your attendance by using the RSVP link.
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Interested in Getting Involved?
To participate in an OK SHIP workgroup meeting or to learn more about current initiatives, please complete and submit the interest form here. We welcome your engagement and look forward to collaborating with you.
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